[00:10.13]The athletes had come from all over the country
[00:14.83]To run for the gold, for the silver and bronze
[00:19.87]Many the weeks and the months of their training
[00:24.68]And all coming down to these games
[00:28.77]The spectators gathered around the old field
[00:33.24]For cheering on all the young women and men
[00:37.80]The final event of the day was approaching
[00:42.53]Excitement grew high to begin
[00:47.27]The blocks were all lined up for those who would use them
[00:52.14]The hundred yard dash was the race to be run
[00:56.54]There were nine resolved athletes in back of the starting line
[01:01.50]Poised for the sound of the gun
[01:13.00]The signal was given, the pistol exploded
[01:17.69]And so did the runners all charging ahead
[01:22.01]But the smallest among them, he stumbled and staggered
[01:26.95]And fell to the asphalt instead
[01:31.59]He gave out a cry in frustration and anguish
[01:35.94]His dreams and his efforts all dashed in the dirt
[01:41.77]But as sure as I'm standing here telling this story
[01:46.83]The same goes for what next occurred
[01:51.57]The eight other runners pulled up on their heels
[01:56.20]The ones who had trained for so long to compete
[02:01.77]One by one they all turned around and went back to help him
[02:06.78]And brought the young boy to his feet
[02:11.55]Then all the nine runners joined hands and continued
[02:16.34]The hundred yard dash now reduced to a walk
[02:21.92]And a banner above that said "Special Olympics"
[02:26.98]Could not have been more on the mark
[02:31.54]For that's how the race ended, with nine gold medals
[02:36.36]They came to the finish line holding hands still
[02:41.90]And a standing ovation and nine beaming faces
[02:46.95]Said more than these words ever will
[02:51.70]That's how the race ended, with nine gold medals
[02:56.37]They came to the finish line holding hands still
[03:04.40]And a banner above that said "Special Olympics"
[03:09.48]Said more than these words ever will
[03:13.86]So much more than these words ever will
[03:36.92]